All three of those shows were nominated in the best large-musical category, along with the Goodman Theatre's "Animal Crackers" and Marriott Theatre's productions of "Hairspray" and "The Drowsy Chaperone."

Court Theatre dominates the best large-play category with three nominees: "The Illusion," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and "The Mystery of Irma Vep." Those shows will compete with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company production of "The Brother/Sister Plays," Writers' Theatre's "A Streetcar Named Desire" and Victory Gardens Theater's "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity."

TimeLine Theatre has three nominations in the best midsize-play category, with "All My Sons," "The Farnsworth Invention" and "'Master Harold' … and the Boys." Other nominated midsize shows are A Red Orchid Theatre's production of "Abigail's Party" and the newly revived American Blues Theater's production of "Tobacco Road."

Nominated revues are Second City e.t.c.'s "The Absolute Best Friggin' Time of Your Life," Northlight Theatre's "Low Down Dirty Blues" and Writers' Theatre's "Oh Coward!"

Major eligible shows with no nominations include "The Long Red Road" and "A True History of the Johnstown Flood" at the Goodman Theatre, and "The Taming of the Shrew" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The nominations in 31 categories are for Chicago-area Equity theatrical productions between Aug. 1, 2009, and July 31. The Jeff Awards will be presented Oct. 25 at the Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace. For tickets, go to jeffawards.org.